The band includes bassist Kathi Wilcox (of Bikini Kill), keyboardist Kenny Mellman (of Kiki & Herb), drummer Carmine Covelli, and guitarist Sara Landeau (who Hanna met through Girls Rock Camp).
In December 2010, the Julie Ruin previewed a performance at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2012, the Julie Ruin released the song "Girls Like Us," featuring queercore artist Vaginal Davis, as a free download as part of a series inspired by the book Real Man Adventures by T. Cooper.
The band's first album, Run Fast, was released on September 3, 2013, by Dischord Records. The first track, "Oh Come On," was released in June of that year.
The band's second album, Hit Reset, was released on July 8, 2016, by Hardly Art Records. The first track "I Decide" was released on April 11, 2016.
http://thejulieruin.com/
Lookout
The Julie Ruin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a storm out
Look up ahead now
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
Look up ahead now
There's a storm out
Gotta play
Gonna play
Gonna get out
In the round downplay
All your talent now
Make a point of
Seeming not proud
Scream your face off
Into a hot towel
You're perfect
You're firelight
You'll be fooled but
You'll be all right
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
It's got a rhythm that
Nobody can write out
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
By the place we hid
By the roadside
By the hornet's nest
In our insides
By the padlock
We never did try
By the spaces
We won't occupy
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
Look up ahead now
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
There's a storm out
Look up ahead now
There's a storm out
You're perfect
You're firelight
You'll get burned but
You'll be all right
It's just a matter
Of the fucking time
It's just a thing called
Why even ask why
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Lookout lookout lookout
In The Julie Ruin's Lookout, the singer acknowledges the presence of a storm that is coming ahead of them. This storm can be interpreted as a metaphor for a difficult or challenging situation that lies ahead. The repetition of "there's a storm out" emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of the situation. Despite the storm, the singer is determined to play, to get out there and face whatever comes. She advises to downplay all of one's talent and appear humble, so that one can scream their frustration into a hot towel. This suggests that the storm is not only external but internal as well.
The lines "You're perfect, you're firelight, you'll be fooled but you'll be all right" provide a sense of reassurance that even though the person may feel lost and unsure, they will come out okay in the end. The second half of the song mentions different places where they may have hidden, or left untried, which can also be interpreted as missed opportunities or regret. The repetition of "lookout" in the chorus reinforces the idea of being aware and prepared for whatever comes, even if it is unpredictable like the storm. The final lines of the song suggest that sometimes life can feel like a series of difficult challenges that are ultimately unanswerable.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a storm out
There's trouble or conflict brewing
Look up ahead now
Be aware of what's coming
Gotta play
You have to participate or be involved
Gonna play
Going to participate or be involved
Gonna get out
Going to escape or leave
In the round downplay
Don't make a big deal of it
All your talent now
Use all your abilities or skills
Make a point of
Be deliberate about
Seeming not proud
Avoid appearing arrogant or conceited
Scream your face off
Express yourself passionately
Into a hot towel
With intensity
You're perfect
You're amazing or flawless
You're firelight
You radiate energy or passion
You'll be fooled but
You'll be deceived or misled
You'll be all right
You'll be okay in the end
It's got a rhythm that
It has a pattern or flow that
Nobody can write out
No one can predict or control
By the place we hid
In the spot where we concealed ourselves
By the roadside
Next to the street or highway
By the hornet's nest
Near the dangerous or volatile situation
In our insides
Within our emotions or thoughts
By the padlock
Next to the locked or inaccessible object
We never did try
We never attempted or made an effort
By the spaces
In the areas we don't occupy or explore
It's just a matter
It's just a question or issue
Of the fucking time
Of timing or circumstances
It's just a thing called
It's just a situation or experience referred to as
Why even ask why
There's no point in questioning it
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be vigilant or watchful
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be cautious or alert
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be prepared or ready
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be mindful or attentive
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be observant or wary
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be focused or sharp
Lookout lookout lookout lookout lookout
Be on the lookout for danger or opportunity
Lookout lookout lookout
Pay attention and be cautious
Contributed by Eva G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Botanicaobscura
Incredible! its really refreshing to see a montage of Audrey where she's not Perfect, smiley happy and content. I cant imagine what it must have been like for her off set. Dodging people and having to "look out" all the time for douchbags.
@labber
what an awesome band. i so feel the 90s spirit in it. it is kinda timeless.
@Wout.vlmnck
My favorite TJR song! (:
@bjl2343
BEST MOVIE EVA!
@JCGONZO23
Best track!
@gambucino1260
yeah, man.
@aniballopez61
This is postpunk,right¿
@davidreames8752
Post Riot Grrrl Punk ...
@aniballopez61
When The b52 find The talking heads